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Free Press Advocate

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington golf team had 12 fewer strokes at home than on the road, proving they’re more familair with High Point Golf Club, their home course.
Wilmington traveled to Seneca Thursday as a part of an I-8 triangular, squaring off against Westmont and Seneca.
Wilmington placed last overall in that competition, shooting a 221.
Seneca shot a 191 and Westmont shot a 186 to win it.
Leading scorers for the ‘Cats included Nolan Smith with a 44 and Ryan Woodall with a 48.
Wilmington 209

Friday night football brought one victory and a pair of losses for three area teams.

Wilmington scored 12 unanswered points in the final quarter to win 39-20 at Manteno; Coal City gave powerhouse Morris a scare until the very end losing 21-7; and Reed-Custer was only one touchdown away in the third quarter before falling to Fieldcrest 34-20.

by shawn long
staff writer
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Tanner Roark made it five victories in a row last Thursday when he cooled the red-hot St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, in the 5-4 victory.
“Tanner was outstanding as well,” Nationals head coach Davey Martinez told Federalbaseball.com. “I figured he was gassed after running the bases so many times after Roark went 2-for-3 at the plate.”
The Wilmington alum entered the game having a 4-0 record over his last four starts with a 1.21 ERA.

by shawn long
staff writer
Size may be an issue for the Wildcat varsity football team. Wilmington will measure up shorter than most other I-8 teams, but coach Jeff Reents says his players have things to make up for it.
The Wildcats lose 21 seniors from a year ago but return a starting roster of 34, all but one is an upperclassman who have taken reps at the varsity leve.l Nonetheless, adjustments will need to be made and are revisited every year regardless of the situation.

by shawn long
staff writer
The North Island Park in Wilmington hosted a men’s softball tournament featuring eight teams from around the area.
The tournament kicked off on Friday at 7 p.m. where three games were played, concluding at 11 p.m.
The semi finals and championship games were played on Saturday as the Wilmington team, All in Da Swing, played Jason’t Electrical in the semi finals and finals, beating them both times to win the championship.

The Wilmington golf team needed to shave off five strokes if they wanted to beat Manteno Monday in the season opener.
Manteno won the meet 207-211.
The top golfers for Wilmington were senior leader Ryan Woodall and Nolan Smith who both shot a 48.
Jake Rader proved his usefulness to begin the year, shooting a 56 and Ben Kreitz shot 59, respectively.
The Wilmington Wildcats will host Streator and Plano Aug. 22, as a part of the conference triangular at High Point Golf Course in Essex.

by shawn long
staff writer
The Wilmington girls volleyball team is ready for the 2018 season, hoping their experienced and youth players will mesh well with each other on their way to a winning season.
Head coach Laura Wakefield is back for her fourth year running the show. She will be assisted by coach Alexis Zouganelis.
The Wildcats are coming back after an 11-19 record last season.

The Bobcat youth football teams won three of four games played during their season opener on Sunday.
The Super Lightweight Bobcats got things started with a 26-0 victory over the visiting Coal City Miners.
The SL game featured a pair of touchdown runs by Colton Schultz and one each by Cole Cutter and Hunter Kaitschuck.
The Lightweight Bobcats scored on their first possession thanks to the quarterback handoff from Mick Smith to Billy Moore, who then raced up the right side 40 yards for the score.

by shawn long
staff writer
Reed-Custer hosted the youth football program jamboree where all levels of the Comets, Wilmington, Coal City, Peotone and Manteno teams met at the Comet’s field on Saturday, depite the 90-degree heat.
The Jamboree consisted of two teams on each end of the football field. Each mini scrimmage started by playing defense for 10 minutes, then switching to offense for 10 minutes.

by shawn long
staff writer
Wilmington...Woodall... Wilson...Wildcats...
There’s plenty of W’s these days when it comes to the varsity WHS golf team. But the more important W’s will be followed by the letters “ins” as the Wildcats prepare to open their season Monday at Manteno.
The Wildcats will get back into the swing of things with a handful experienced golfers.
Coach Mike Wilson returns for his 15th season, looking for senior Ryan Woodall to lead the charge.